Reuben: Life in the Dales Series Premiere, 25 April 2024, Channel 5

The documentary series Reuben: Life in the Dales premieres on Channel 5 on Thursday, 25 April 2024, at 8:00 pm. The show follows the endeavours of Reuben Owen, the 19-year-old son of a hill shepherd, as he navigates life in the picturesque yet challenging landscape of the Yorkshire Dales.

In the first episode, viewers are introduced to Reuben and his ambitious goal of growing his heavy plant machinery business in the remote and rugged region. He is joined by his best friends, Tommy and Sarah, who form a dynamic team taking on various projects in the area. The episode focuses on their endeavour to restore an old fishing pond at a grand country estate in County Durham.

The scale of the task is daunting, as the team aims to excavate 6,000 tonnes of silt from a half-acre pond—the largest dig they have ever attempted. The success of the project hinges on the efficient coordination of their efforts, with 17-year-old Sarah making countless trips on a track dumper to clear the silt from the woods. However, nature poses its own challenges, as heavy summer rain turns the site into a treacherous slurry pit, threatening to engulf Reuben’s 14-tonne digger.

To keep the job on track, the team turns to a vintage bulldozer, showcasing their adaptability and resourcefulness. In addition to the pond restoration, Reuben and his friends take on another project: transforming an ancient haulage yard into a space to store and maintain their growing fleet of machinery. However, they soon find themselves facing obstacles as they clear a derelict barn and level a potholed track.

Reuben’s confidence in his abilities with machinery is evident, but he also yearns for new challenges. This leads him and his friends on a road trip to the PlantWorx Expo in Peterborough, where he participates in a digger competition against seasoned operators, vying for the chance to win a luxury holiday. Upon their return to the Dales, Reuben expresses his gratitude to his friends for their support by organising an antique joyride through the picturesque countryside on a pair of vintage hand-crank tractors.

Reuben: Life in the Dales airs on Channel 5 at 8:00 pm on Thursday, 25 April 2024.